2016 will be a big year ahead for the Tralee BC. Since the club was launched in 1992 it has had a distinguished history as Kerry’s leading race club providing an established structure to develop riders across all age categories. The original racing team was Paul Griffin, Seán Lacey, Brendan Lacey, Kieran McMahon (RIP 2004), Thomas Hogan and John Dempsey. The original team proved very successful with many victories to their credit. Since then the club has excelled producing exceptional results at both National and International levels including a Rás Mumhan Stage winner, National titles and multiple wins across Ireland’s most challenging races.

We wish to thank our main sponsor Manor West Hotel for their continued support , and we’d also like to welcome iBike onboard as an additional sponsor. To reflect iBike’s sponsorship, the club will now be racing under the title of Tralee Manor West iBike .We would also like to welcome the riders from the former Team iBike joining the club who will strengthen the club’s racing presence considerably.

Manor West Hotel has provided Tralee BC with a perfect base for the club over the past 4 years, with its superb facilities and has been the ideal venue to host the club's two national races, events & workshops. iBike is the foremost bike shop in Kerry, with outlets in Killarney & Listowel, providing the cycling community with cutting edge service and advice, and will give the club’s racers invaluable top level support throughout the season.

The club now has over 90 active members across all age categories from U14 to Veterans. The club offers members structured training spins three times per week with focus on developing fitness, safety, group-riding and racing skills. The club organises regular training camps both locally and abroad. Educational evenings are also delivered by experienced individuals across a wide range of subjects including nutrition, strength and conditioning, training with power etc.

For 2016, Tralee Manor West iBike members look forward to competing weekly across Ireland. A1/A2 riders will pit themselves against the best of Irish and international riders in the local prestigious 4-Day Kerry Group Rás Mumhan stage race over Easter weekend, while A3/A4 riders will be pushing for results in the Corkman 2-Day in May and Charleville 2-Day later in September. Junior riders will be focused Sunday races as well as gaining selection for the Junior Tour of Ireland.

The 'Kanturk 3 Day' annual race held on the May Bank Holiday weekend finished up today in the North Cork town. There was a big attendance of racers over the different groups. Tralee Manor West BC was represented with 5No. riders.

Cian Smailes raced in the U16 category which had 3No. stages. The first stage was a hard 66km route including a tough climb from Freemount to Newmarket which the riders had to negotiate twice, Cian got away in a 3 man break that stayed clear for most of the race before being reeled in just before the finish line A 8km time trial was the second stage held that afternoon too. The 3rd and final stage was held on Sunday with 3 laps of the Kanturk-Ballymaquirke-Kanturk circuit with an uphill finish in the town. Cian finished a very impressive 15th overall in a very strong group of U16 riders. Well done Cian!!

Cian Smailes in action ( Photo : John Coleman )

In the A4 and Ladies category Teresa O'Sullivan represented the club and put in three days great racing. Being consistent all weekend and taking top 20 finishes in each stage, including a 12th place on Sunday meant that Teresa won the Ladies A4 category. Teresa has put in some great racing all season and richly deserved this win!! Congratulations from all members of the club.

Teresa O'Sullivan ( Photo : John Coleman )

In the A2/ A3 category the Tralee Manor West BC riders were Jerry McCarthy, Cormac Daly and Oran Pierse. With 4 stages totalling 270km including a 8km time trial, 3 days of hard racing was endured. All three guys raced very well all weekend. Oran took an excellent 7th place on Stage 3 in Banteer. Jerry was in the mix in each stage, putting in a great TT.

Oran Pierce ( John Coleman ) & Jerry McCarthy ( Brendan Slattery )

Cormac Daly, who has been consistently showing great form over the past few races, opened his account on Stage 1 taking 8th place, 10th on Stage 2 and very strong riding on stages 3 & 4, finishing 9th overall on GC, first A3 rider. Great result from the Kenmare man

With the quality of the field that had signed on, a huge congratulations to Cormac, Jerry and Oran. Well done lads !

Cormac Daly in the break

A special word of thanks to Tony Daly and Riobard Pierse who provided the riders with team car support for the weekend.

Great day's racing at the 50th Drumm Cup today in Currow in perfect conditions, hosted by Currow CC. Tralee Manor West BC were well represented with 8 riders racing.

First off was Cian Smailes in the U16s, who got into a 3 man break which almost stayed clear until the end, finishing in a bunch sprint with Cian taking a 4th place.

In the A4 race Teresa O'Sullivan was just pipped into 2nd Lady home, with Shane O'Brien (making his racing debut) and Mark Ryall finishing very strongly in the main bunch.

In the A3 race, Cormac Daly, Jerry McCarthy & Colm Austen O'Sullivan rode very strongly, with Cormac bridging across to the breakaway group on the third lap. The leaders then extended their lead to 1min 20 secs to remain clear to the finish with Cormac taking 10th place.

Well done to all our riders and thanks to Currow CC for putting on a great race. Big thanks to Tony Daly for driving the team car again today.

Congratulations to Club Members Cillian Tierney and Oran Pierse who were part of the Munster Cycling Academy Team at the Gorey 3 Day over the Easter Weekend. The team were 2nd on the team classification, only finishing behind the National team.

The final stage of Ras Mumhan was held earlier today in Killorglin in glorious sunshine. Jerry, Cormac, Neil and Gareth again lined up for Tralee Manor West. The stage pace was frantic from the start and never let up for the 117km stage. Padi O'Brien made it 3 stage wins from 4 and Lacey Cup winner Sean McKenna won the overall event. Congratulations to Cormac, Jerry, Neil, Gareth and Brian who raced superbly over the event. As mentioned on an earlier post we wish Brian Harte a speedy recovery following his injury. A special mention to Cormac Daly too who racing his first Ras Mumhan finished 2nd in the A3 category which is some achievement. Thanks to Killorglin CC for running such a great event.

A big thanks now to Tony Daly who volunteered his time and provided back up to the riders all weekend. Also to Cian Hogan Sports Massage who looked after our riders ensuring their maximum recovery and being fresh for each stage start. The riders mentioned on numerous occasions that the support they got from our club members on each of the 4 stages was exceptional. It gave the guys a huge boast so thank you to all that came out and supported them. Finally, a massive thank you to team manager Barry Murphy. Barry has yet again gone beyond the normal call of duty in preparing the team for this years Ras Mumhan, The months of hard work ensured everything went smoothly for the team.

206 riders signed on today for the annual Lacey Cup. Torrential rain and strong winds overnight and up until the race commenced was a major concern but thankfully the rain eased off before the race commenced. After the roll-out from our club sponsors and Race Headquarters, Manor West Hotel, the A3 riders were first off from George Poff's garage on the Dingle Road. They wasted no time with plenty of attacks and eventually a four man break was clear at the foot of Gleann na nGealt.

Sean McKenna riding for his new team Aquablue attacked hard from the A1 group overhauling the A2's and eventually catching Simon Tuomey & Robert O'Leary of Giant Cork and Darragh O'Mahony, O'Leary Stone/ Kanturk CC on the first climb. This was to be the break of the day. Sean Lacey and Paidi O'Brien launched an attack with 800mm to the prime but were reeled back in. Sean McKenna took the prime, with Darragh second and Simon third.

The four man breakaway worked very well all day but were only managing a slender 1-2 minute gap throughout the race as attacks were frequent from the chasing groups. As they passed Inch beach they were maintaining a one minute gap, but the pace took its toll on Robert O'Leary and it was down to a three remaining riders. Denis Dunworth was next to attack but Cathal Moynihan was doing an excellent job in marking the attacks as he had a team mate in the break.

A strong tailwind led to a very fast pace from Inch to Castlemaine where the riders turned left and faced the Sliabh Mish climb. Simon Tuomey and Sean McKenna went clear at this point with Darragh loosing contact. Simon took the Teddy Griffin prime and it was going to be down to a two man sprint then. Sean McKenna took the victory by a couple of seconds from Simon. A gallant effort from Darragh O'Mahony earned him a well deserved third place. Killarney man John Brosnan, Moda Kingdom Endurance was next rider to finish after putting in a ferocious attack on the last climb. Paidi O'Brien was 5th leading in the main bunch. In this group also was Siobhan Horgan who rode very strongly and her break from the bike was not evident on todays display where she was the first female rider home.

Club man Oran Pierse of Tralee Manor West BC won the Jackie O'Connor Trophy at Gleann na nGealt with fellow club rider Cillian Tierney putting in a very strong performance finishing in the top 20, great stet for the first year juniors !

In the A4 race Tom Brendan O'Connor of the Tralee Chain Gang CC went on the charge from the gun and built up a convincing lead, taking the A4 Prime at Gleann na nGealt on his solo charge, which he maintained until the foot of Sliabh Mish, where the chasing bunch caught their man. Moments later Conor Kissane, Killarney CC put in a blistering attack and went clear to take the A4 race.

Our thanks to the Gardaí, Red Cross, our race sponsors, George Poff & Halfords, and of course the Manor West Hotel for their hospitability. We would like to also thank all our club members for the excellent stewarding to ensure the race went off without any major incidents. Finally thanks to all the riders who turned up and put in a huge effort on a tough circuit made even tougher today with the strong winds.

Just a quick heads up to anyone still considering staying in Manor West Hotel for the Lacey Cup, there are only a handful of rooms left, so give them a call on 066 7194500 asap ! Full details below.

LACEY CUP ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES :

Our main sponsors Manor West Hotel have put together great package deals for cyclists and their families / partners who may wish to travel to Tralee the day before the Lacey Cup. The packages are as follows: Bed & Breakfast €40pps. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast €59 pps. Single room, Bed & Breakfast €50. Single room, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast €69.

Manor West Hotel has underground parking with a secure bike lock-up facility . Special late Check-out at 4.30pm to allow cyclists shower and change afterwards. Full use of leisure facilities including 18m pool, sauna and jacuzzi. The hotel is located adjacent to Manor West Retail Park (Kerry's largest shopping complex). For anyone interested in booking please contact the hotel at 066 7194500 and quote "Lacey Cup".